YACT: Help me identify this squeek. (car illiterate)

[TwiceOver]

Car: 1995 Nissan Altima 78K Miles

Problem: When driving above 15mph I get this rotating squeek sound from my front driver's side. This sound does not change when braking but obviously goes away when car is at a complete stop. The squeek also disappears when taking turns, then comes back when straightened out.

So the two ideas that were handed to me where "Might be the breaks" and "Could be your wheel bearings". I had my breaks completely checked by Midas when I did my oil change today and they said the breaks were fine. New wheel bearings for that wheel is $300 and "isn't something they can just check" so basically I would spend $300 on a shot-in-the-dark with hopes of the best.

Anyone have any ideas?

Update: Had tires rotated, balanced, aligned today. No change. I took it for a long drive today and noticed that it does change somewhat with the speed of the vehicle! Also if I go over a bump it stops for that moment until the car "settles" then it comes back.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Have the suspension joints lubed. That should take care if it. Bearings do not "squeek", bearings either make a grinding/groaning noise that is continuous, or they make a wailing noise.

ZV

 

[Quixfire]

First I don?t think it?s a wheel bearing at this point because they don?t usually squeak. I would start looking around the left front wheel for any signs of rubbing from body panel or road debris that got stuck in the wheel, rotor or the halfshaft. You could raised the left side of the vehicle with a jack stand support it with as jack stand then rotate the wheel while looking under it. You just might see the cause of the noise.

If you have any other questions or are uncertain what you are looking at let me know.

 

[TwiceOver]

Since they took my wheels off today I would assume it is not debris. Also it won't squeek at low speeds, only when I get over about 15. It's really freakin' annoying and you can hear it from a distance.

Zemmer: If it was the suspension wouldn't it be more of an up and down squeek? This is definately has a rotating sound.

 

[RedRooster]

Brake rotor/caliper rubbing somehow. Usually as speed gets higher, most sounds go away.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Since they took my wheels off today I would assume it is not debris. Also it won't squeek at low speeds, only when I get over about 15. It's really freakin' annoying and you can hear it from a distance.

Zemmer: If it was the suspension wouldn't it be more of an up and down squeek? This is definately has a rotating sound.

What on earth is a "rotating squeek"?

Regardless, wheel bearings do _not_ squeek. They just don't. They do not make a discontinuous sound.

If you're geting a "squeek_squeek_squeek_squeek" sound where there is a slight pause between each "squeek", then it's probably just the brake pad wandering slightly on the pins. This would not show up in a brake check because they look for something that is actually wrong with the system (i.e. something that can cause a failure). Try stabbing the brakes, if the squeeking goes away temporarily, it's just the pads wandering.

ZV

 

[TechnoKid]

Does the sound vary with engine speed/rpm?

 

[TwiceOver]

Zemmer: Rotating Squeek... Imagine the sound that a Metal Lathe would make. Continuous but varying slightly in pitch (not much)

Techno: No it's continuous at any speed above 15. No difference between 20 adn 60+ mph.

 

[TechnoKid]

Hmm might be a long shot, but have your tie-rod ends checked out.


you say the sound is continuous, but varies in pitch slighty, then I definately think is suspension related, the susp makes subtle movements even on smooth road surafces.

 

[blahblah99]

I was going to say brake pads, but since you've gotten it checked by MIDAS and they said it was okay, then it couldn't be the problem.

How about power steering? When was the last time you flushed your power steering system?

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: blahblah99
I was going to say brake pads, but since you've gotten it checked by MIDAS and they said it was okay, then it couldn't be the problem.

How about power steering? When was the last time you flushed your power steering system?

I have never flushed the power steering.

Why ohh why did I take computers instead of auto in HS? Ohh yeh, because of the women! Wait a second... FvCK.

 

[blahblah99]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver

Originally posted by: blahblah99
I was going to say brake pads, but since you've gotten it checked by MIDAS and they said it was okay, then it couldn't be the problem.

How about power steering? When was the last time you flushed your power steering system?

I have never flushed the power steering.

Why ohh why did I take computers instead of auto in HS? Ohh yeh, because of the women! Wait a second... FvCK.

Well check your power steering fluid resovior first and see if the liquid in there have turned to gunk, or if there's even fluid in there. If you're unsure of the condition, go buy a new bottle of power steering fluid and compare that to what's in your car.

 

[TwiceOver]

Well did some things today.